Sergio Oliva

Template:Short description Template:Distinguish Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox bodybuilder

Sergio Oliva ({{#invoke:IPA|main}}; July 4, 1941 – November 12, 2012), often known by his epithet 'The Myth' for his physique and performance, was a Cuban American bodybuilder and three-time Mr. Olympia winner.

Early lifeEdit

Sergio Oliva was born on July 4, 1941, in Guantanamo, Cuba,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> during the presidency of Fulgencio Batista. As a teenager, Sergio was able to perform clean & jerks above 400 pounds.<ref>(2012, Nov). "Sergio Oliva “The Myth” – R.I.P." Iron Man Magazine.</ref> He was selected to represent Cuba at the 1962 Central America and Caribbean Games.<ref name="Merritt">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> While representing Cuba in Jamaica, he successfully claimed political asylum in the United States. Soon after, 65 other Cuban nationals, which included Castro's entire weightlifting team and their security guards, followed Oliva by seeking asylum in the US. In the United States Oliva lived in Miami, Florida, where he worked as a TV repairman.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

CareerEdit

Oliva won the Mr. Olympia title three years from 1967 to 1969 in a row. He competed at a contest weight of 225–245 lbs. His second title in 1968 was uncontested.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1969, he won his third consecutive Mr. Olympia by beating four-time Mr. Universe winner Arnold Schwarzenegger.<ref name=":0" />

Oliva was banned from competing in the 1971 IFBB Mr. Olympia competition due to the fact that he competed in the 1971 NABBA Mr. Universe, allowing Schwarzenegger to claim the title.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1972, Oliva challenged Schwarzenegger again for the year's Olympia in Essen, West Germany. However, he again placed second behind Schwarzenegger.<ref>"Memories Of The Myth: Greats Pay Tribute To Sergio Oliva." Bodybuilding.com.</ref>

In 1985, Oliva returned for a final attempt at the Mr. Olympia title. He finished this year in 8th place - repeating his position from the previous year.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Personal lifeEdit

Oliva was a police officer in Chicago from 1976 to 2003.<ref name="Merritt"/>
In 1986, Sergio survived being shot by his then-wife Arleen Garrett. He sustained 5 bullet wounds to his abdomen from a .38 Special.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
His son, Sergio Oliva Jr., is an IFBB Pro bodybuilder who won the 2015 NPC Nationals bodybuilding competition, and who has since competed on Mr. Olympia, Arnold Classic, and New York Pro stages.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

DeathEdit

Sergio Oliva died on November 12, 2012, in Chicago, Illinois, from apparent kidney failure.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Bodybuilding titlesEdit


Year	Level	Title/Organization	Overall Position	Notes
1963	City	Mr. Chicago	1st
1964	State	Mr. Illinois	1st
1964	National	Mr. America / AAU	7th
1965	National	Junior Mr. America / AAU	2nd	“Most Muscular” Trophy
1965	National	Mr. America / AAU	4th	“Most Muscular” Trophy
1966	National	Junior Mr. America / AAU	1st	“Most Muscular” Trophy
1966	National	Mr. America / AAU	2nd	“Most Muscular” Trophy
1966	International	Mr. World / IFBB	1st	1st in the “Tall” Category
1966	International	Mr. Universe / IFBBTemplate:Citation needed	1st
1966	International	Mr. Olympia / IFBB	4th
1967	International	Mr. Olympia / IFBB	1st
1967	International	Mr. Universe / IFBBTemplate:Citation needed	1st
1968	International	Mr. Olympia / IFBB	1st	Second Consecutive Win; Uncontested & Unchallenged
1969	International	Mr. Olympia / IFBB	1st	Third Consecutive Win
1970	International	Mr. World / AAU (Pro)	-	2nd in the “Tall” Category
1970	International	Mr. Olympia / IFBB	2nd
1971	International	Mr. Universe / NABBA (Pro)	-	2nd in the “Tall” category
1972	International	Mr. Olympia / IFBB	2nd
1972	International	Mr. Galaxy / WBBG	1st
1973	International	Mr. International, Mr. AztecaTemplate:Citation needed / IFBB (Pro)	1st
1973	International	Mr. Galaxy / WBBG	1st
1974	International	Mr. International / WBBG (Pro)	1st
1975	International	Mr. Olympus / WBBG	1st
1976	International	Mr. Olympus / WBBG	1st
1977	International	Pro World Championships / WABBA	1st
1978	International	Mr. Olympus / WBBG	1st
1980	International	Pro World Championships / WABBA	1st
1980	International	Professional World cup / WABBA	1st
1981	International	Professional World cup / WABBA	1st
1984	International	Mr. Olympia / IFBB	8th
1984	Inter-State	Professional Mid-States Championships / WABBA	1st
1985	Inter-State	Mr. Olympia / IFBB<ref>Sergio Oliva the Myth, Building the Ultimate Physique by Sergio Oliva and Frank Marchante 2007 page 320 {by Gras Publishing company}</ref>	8th

ReferencesEdit

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External linksEdit

SERGIO OLIVA: The Myth! Official Website
Sergio Oliva Profile
Sergio Oliva Gallery
El cubano que derrotó a Schwarzenegger
SergioOlivaJr.com Son's Official Website
exclusive interview of Sergio Oliva for Lexnews magazine in 2007
Sergio Oliva - The Myth and the heart throb! Sergio Oliva Article at MuscleMecca 2013
Sergio Oliva: The Full, Amazing Story of The Myth